My Mute Bride

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

table and opened it. Before she could even offer some to anyone, a group of children was

cake is so pretty,

a ‘wait’ motion with her hand, she lifted a knife and a paper plate, preparing to cut into the cake for

candles out of a box to the side. “Today is

of the group, which happened to be a little girl in pigtails, immediately

sing the ‘Happy

must close her eyes

must blow

Julian that there was no need

still lit the candles and had the children sing ‘Happy Birthday’ in unison. The delicate chorus of

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

your birthday, Miss Rachel. My mommy says you have to say it in your heart and not out loud, or the wish won’t come true,”

to look, she found a little girl who wasn’t even at table height yet looking up at

the gazes of the children, clasped her hands and made a wish. After that, she blew out the

say thank you!” their

raced off, dabbing icing on each other’s faces. Just like that, the strangers in the community suddenly seemed closer and

light of the streetlamp, Rachel finally smiled for the

right now is to take

well pretend it never existed for now. At

on upstairs, then. It’s been getting colder lately, so make sure to

and

she was inside her apartment and about

the door was propped open by a large

face made all the more grotesque

he out on business? she

slid sideways into the house and shut the door

see you’ve been getting along fine without

took two steps

he pulled off his necktie and threw it

were like unmelting icebergs as he sneered, “I suppose you wouldn’t want me

step he approached her, forcing her back

idea what

she staggered